"I think it likely ''

"But possible ? ''

"Yes ''

" all ''

More evidence followed Evidence financial difficulties prisoner had found himself end of July Evidence as intrigue with Mrs Raikes -- poor Mary, bitter hearing for woman of her pride Evelyn Howard right in her facts, though her animosity against Alfred Inglethorp had caused her to jump conclusion that he person concerned

Lawrence Cavendish was then put box In low voice, in answer to Mr Philips' questions, he denied having ordered anything from Parkson's in June , on June 29th, he staying away, in Wales

Instantly, Sir Ernest's chin was shooting pugnaciously forward

"You deny having ordered black beard from Parkson's on June 29th ? ''

" ''

"Ah ! event of anything happening to your brother, inherit Styles Court ? ''

The brutality question called flush to Lawrence's pale face The judge gave vent to faint murmur of disapprobation, prisoner dock leant forward angrily

Heavywether cared nothing client's anger

"Answer my question, please ''

"I suppose,'' said Lawrence quietly, "that ''

"What 'suppose' ? Your brother has no children inherit it, wouldn't you ? ''

"Yes ''

"Ah, that's better,'' said Heavywether, with ferocious geniality "And you'd inherit good slice of money too, wouldn't you ? ''

"Really, Sir Ernest,'' protested the judge, "these questions relevant ''

Sir Ernest bowed, and having shot his arrow proceeded

"On Tuesday, the 17th July, you went, I believe, with another guest, to visit the dispensary Red Cross Hospital in Tadminster ? ''

"Yes ''

"Did you -- while you happened alone for few seconds -- unlock the poison cupboard, and examine bottles ? ''

"I -- I -- may so ''

"I put it that ? ''

"Yes ''

Sir Ernest fairly shot the next question at him

"Did you examine one bottle ? ''

"No, so ''

"Be careful, Mr Cavendish referring to little bottle of Hydro-chloride of Strychnine ''

Lawrence was turning sickly greenish colour

"N -- o -- I didn't ''

"Then how account fact that you left the unmistakable impress of your finger-prints ? ''

The bullying manner was highly efficacious with nervous disposition

"I -- I suppose taken up the bottle ''

"I suppose so too ! Did you abstract any contents bottle ? ''

"Certainly not ''

"Then why did you take it up ? ''

"I once studied doctor Such things naturally interest me ''

"Ah ! So poisons 'naturally interest' you, do they ? Still, you waited alone before gratifying that 'interest' of yours ? ''

"That was pure chance others there, done just the same ''

"Still, as it happens, the others there ? ''

"No, but -- -- ''

" , during the whole afternoon, you were only alone for couple of minutes, and it happened -- , it happened -- during those two minutes that you displayed your 'natural interest' in Hydro-chloride of Strychnine ? ''

Lawrence stammered pitiably

"I -- I -- -- ''

With satisfied and expressive countenance, Sir Ernest observed:

" nothing more to , Mr Cavendish ''

This bit of cross-examination had caused great excitement in court The heads many fashionably attired women present were busily laid together, and their whispers became so loud judge angrily threatened the court cleared if not immediate silence

little more evidence The hand-writing experts were called upon for their opinion signature of "Alfred Inglethorp'' chemist's poison register They all declared unanimously certainly not his hand-writing, and gave it as their view that prisoner disguised Cross-examined, they admitted the prisoner's hand-writing cleverly counterfeited

Sir Ernest Heavywether's speech in opening the case defence was not long one, but backed full force emphatic manner Never, , course long experience, had he known charge of murder rest on slighter evidence entirely circumstantial, but the greater part of practically unproved Let them testimony they had heard and sift it impartially The strychnine found in drawer prisoner's room That drawer was an unlocked one, as he had pointed out, and he submitted that no evidence the prisoner who had concealed the poison there , , wicked and malicious attempt of some third person to fix the crime prisoner The prosecution unable shred of evidence in support contention the prisoner who ordered the black beard from Parkson's The quarrel which had taken place between prisoner stepmother was freely admitted, but both it financial embarrassments grossly exaggerated

His learned friend -- Sir Ernest nodded carelessly at Mr Philips -- had stated that prisoner were an innocent man, come forward inquest to explain he, and not Mr Inglethorp, who the participator quarrel He thought the facts misrepresented What had actually occurred The prisoner, returning house on Tuesday evening, authoritatively told that there violent quarrel between Mr and Mrs Inglethorp No suspicion had entered the prisoner's head that anyone could possibly have mistaken his voice of Mr Inglethorp He naturally concluded that his stepmother had had two quarrels

The prosecution averred that on Monday, July 16th, the prisoner had entered the chemist's shop village, disguised as Mr Inglethorp The prisoner, contrary, was at lonely spot called Marston's Spinney, where he summoned by an anonymous note, couched in blackmailing terms, and threatening to reveal certain matters wife unless he complied with its demands The prisoner had, accordingly, gone appointed spot, and after waiting there vainly for half an hour had returned home Unfortunately, he had met with no one way there or back vouch truth story, but luckily he had kept the note, and it produced as evidence

As statement relating destruction will, the prisoner had formerly practiced Bar, and was perfectly well aware will made favour year before was automatically revoked by his stepmother's remarriage call evidence to show who did destroy the will, and possible that that might open up quite new view case

Finally, point out jury that evidence against other people besides John Cavendish direct their attention fact evidence against Mr Lawrence Cavendish was quite as strong, stronger than that against his brother

now call the prisoner

John acquitted himself well witness-box Under Sir Ernest's skilful handling, his tale credibly and well The anonymous note received by him was produced, and handed jury to examine The readiness he admitted his financial difficulties, disagreement stepmother, lent value denials

close examination, he paused, and said:

" like clear I utterly reject and disapprove of Sir Ernest Heavywether's insinuations against my brother My brother, convinced, had no more crime than ''

Sir Ernest merely smiled, and noted with sharp eye that John's protest had produced very favourable impression jury

Then the cross-examination began

"I understand you never entered your head witnesses inquest could possibly have mistaken your voice of Mr Inglethorp that very surprising ? ''

"No, I don't think so told there quarrel between my mother and Mr Inglethorp, and it never occurred that such was not really the case ''

"Not servant Dorcas repeated certain fragments conversation -- fragments which recognized ? ''

" recognize them ''

"Your memory unusually short ! ''

"No, but we were both angry, and, , said more than we meant I paid very little attention to my mother's actual words ''

Mr Philips' incredulous sniff was triumph of forensic skill He passed on subject note

" produced this note very opportunely Tell me, nothing familiar hand-writing of it ? ''

"Not that of ''

" not think bears marked resemblance to your own hand-writing -- carelessly disguised ? ''

"No, so ''